Research assistant – casual position

Start date: May 01, 2025

Application deadline: April 10, 2025

Supervisor: Dr. Katie MacDonald

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Overview

This project takes learning from multiple research projects in order to consider the everyday work in the affordable housing sector. At the upcoming Canadian Housing and Renewal Association annual conference, Dr. MacDonald will facilitate a workshop on supporting housing staff. Housing organizations and their employees are often navigating multiple challenges at once while managing the day-to-day work of providing housing. The interactive session will create space for learning about how professional development (PD) can help housing organizations tackle issues as they arise and get an overview of the research supporting the importance of PD in the workplace in addressing change management. Drawing specifically on research from housing leaders working with CIH Canada, we’ll situate these findings within their implications for the affordable housing sector in Canada and share promising practices from around the country.

Specific activities include, but are not limited to

This project will supporting knowledge mobilization. At the upcoming Canadian Housing and Renewal Association on April 29th, I will be facilitating a day-long workshop for housing professionals about professional development. For this workshop, I will be drawing on findings from my SSHRC funded Partnership Engage Grant with CIH Canada, and research that is ongoing with housing sector workers funded through a SSHRC/CMHC funded PDG.

The primary job duties for the field research assistant (RA2) will include creating a handout of resources for the workshop (~10 hours), supporting planning and facilitation of the workshop (~15 hours), and contributing to the development of an infographic that can be shared with housing workers based on the learnings of the workshop (~15 hours).

The successful candidate will work with, and directly report to, Dr. MacDonald at Athabasca University. Dr. MacDonald will provide adequate training in knowledge mobilization and facilitation that will be required.

Qualifications

Applications should have an interest in the affordable housing sector and knowledge mobilization. Applicants must be able to attend the annual CHRA conference to assist facilitation on April 29th in Saskatoon. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered. The registration for the conference is also included, and the successful applicant will be able to attend the rest of the conference.

Experience with facilitation is an asset.

Students will gain experience in knowledge mobilization, affordable housing and facilitation

How to apply

Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. MacDonald at macdonaldk@athabascau.ca. Applications should include (as a single PDF file) a brief cover letter that summarizes your skills, interests and experience; a current resume and contact information for 1‐2 references.

Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Athabasca University and the researchers are committed and seek to support equity in employment and research opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, women, and other historically marginalized groups. Applicants are welcome, but not required, to self‐identify in their letter of application.

For more information on this Research Assistant Opportunity, please contact Dr. MacDonald at the macdonaldk@athabascau.ca on or before April 10th .

Hours per week are approximate and may vary based upon activity. This position has a maximum of 40 hours.

Assistantship